Apparatus for installing and setting packing assemblies in wellheads

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is releasably connected to a packing assembly, the combination being lowered on a tubular running string until the packing assembly is disposed between a hanger body and a surrounding wellhead underlying a body of water. Rotation of the apparatus is transmitted through torque keys to the packing assembly to thread the latter along the hanger body and packoff the annular space between the hanger body and wellhead. The keys are retracted hydraulically from torque transmitting relation to the packing assembly, the apparatus being released from the packing assembly for retrieval to the drilling rig at the water surface.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,903,965 Ahlstone Sept. 9, 1975 APPARATUSFOR INSTALLING AND 3,809,l58 5/1974 Bonds et all 285/l8 SETTING PACKINGASSEMBLIES [N 3,827,488 8/1974 Piazza et al WELLHEADS PrimaryExaminerJames A. Leppmk [75] Inventor: Arthur G. Ahlstone, Ventura,Calif. Attorney Agent, Firm Bemard Kriegel [73] Assignee: Vetco OffshoreIndustries, Inc.,

Ventura, Calif. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Mar. 7 1974 Apparatus isreleasably connected to a packing assembly, the combination beinglowered on a tubular runl l PP ,193 ning string until the packingassembly is disposed between a hanger body and a surrounding wellheadun- U'S CL v 1 I I I i h I I n 8 derlying a Of water, Rotation Of theapparatus i5 (51] Int 2 U E218 23/00; 5213 43/10 transmitted throughtorque keys to the packing assem- 5 1 Field of Search I I I 166/123125,181s 182P6 bly to thread the latter along the hanger body and166/208; 285/181 87 packoff the annular space between the hanger bodyand wellhead. The keys are retracted hydraulically from torquetransmitting relation to the packing as- [56] References Cited bl h t bI I df th k UNITED STATES PATENTS sem y, t e appar a us eing re ease rome pac ing assembly for retrieval to the drilling rig at the water3,321.21? 5/1967 Ahlstone 285 18 Surfaw 1468558 9/1969 Ahlstonem 285/183 68,5519 9/l969 Ahlstone 285/!8 34 Claims. 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEI]SEP 91975 SHEET 1 [1F 5 MAW/{V PATENTEU 9975 3.903 .965 smuuqgr;

ire-6. 98 85 fin PATENTEUSEP 91s 3 903 965 sum s 95 5 APPARATUS FORINSTALLING AND SETTING PACKING ASSEMBLIES IN WELLI-IEADS The presentinvention relates to well apparatus, and more particularly to apparatusfor effecting a seal of the regionbetween a hanger body and asurrounding wellhead disposed at the upper end of the well bore.

In the drilling of oil and gas wells at an underwater location, a casingstring is run into a well bore, the casing string being supported by ahanger body resting on a companion seat in a surrounding wellhead. Thecasing string is cemented in place and a suitable packing or sealassembly actuated to packoff the annular region between the hanger bodyand wellhead. Apparatus for performing the above method is illustratedin a number of United States patents, including applicants U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,468,558, 3,468,559, 3,489,436 and 3,492,026.

In the present invention, the packing assembly is lowered from adrilling barge into position within the wellhead through use of arunning string secured to a running and setting tool releasablyconnected to the packing assembly. Torque is transmitted from thesetting tool to the packing assembly through one or a plurality ofshiftable keys, or the like, which effect a threaded connection betweenthe packing assembly and the easing hanger body, and then a packoff ofthe packing assembly between the casing hanger body and the surroundingwellhead. After the packoff has been effected, the one or more keys areretracted from torque transmitting relation to the packing assembly,which permits the running and setting tool to be released from thepacking assembly and withdrawn to the drilling rig from which theapparatus is being operated. Prior to withdrawal of the keys from thepacking assembly, the efficacy of the packofi' can be tested. If foundto leak, additional torque can be transmitted from the setting toolthrough the keys to the packing assembly to more firmly set the packingportion of the setting tool against the opposed sealing surfaces on thecasing hanger body and the surrounding wellhead. If the leakagepersists, the setting tool can be rotated in the opposite direction tounthread the packing assembly from the casing hanger body, permittingits withdrawal with the setting tool to the rig. If the pressure test issatisfactory, the keys are released from their torque transmittingrelation to the packing assembly, the running tool then being releasedfrom the packing assembly to permit the running and setting tool to bewithdrawn to the drilling I'lg.

In its more limited aspect, the torque transmitting keys of the settingtool are released from the packing assembly hydraulically in a facileand easy manner. The setting tool embodies a cylinder containing asuitable hydraulic fluid, pressure being imposed through the tubularrunning string secured to the running and setting tool on a piston todevelop pressure in the fluid, this pressure then being imposed upon apiston which is operatively associated with the one or more keys toshift them from torque transmitting relation to the packing assembly.

A further objective of the invention is to provide a running and settingtool which can be lowered into a wellhead disposed at the floor of abody of water and readily placed in driving relation to a packingassembly located beltween a casing hanger body and the surroundingwellhead, for the purpose of either effecting further tightening of thepacking assembly between the casing hanger body and wellhead, or torelease the packing assembly and effect its withdrawal to the rig at thesurface of the water.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a subaqueous well bore drilled from afloating drilling vessel through associated equipment, includingapparatus located at the floor of the body of water;

FIG. 2 is a quarter longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, with thesetting tool in position to effect a packofi' between a casing hangerbody and a surrounding wellhead;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section on a smaller scale than FIG. 2, parts beingshown in side elevation, of the invention in which the setting tool hasbeen actuated to effect a packoff between a casing hanger body and asurrounding wellhead;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, taken along the line 4--4 on FIG. 3,with the setting tool connected to the packing assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 disclosing the torquetransmitting keys of the setting tool released from the packingassembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 66 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 8--8 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 9-9 on FIG. 2; and

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section taken along the line l010 on FIG. 9,but with the packing actuator sleeve shown threaded on the hanger body.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a well bore A drilled below abody of water B from a drilling vessel C floating at the surface of thewater, a marine riser pipe D extending from the drilling vesseldownwardly to a suitable connector E attached to a blowout preventerstack F, which is connected through a suitable connector G to a wellheadhousing H disposed within a base .I mounted on the floor K of the bodyof water. The wellhead housing H has a string of casing L extending intothe well bore. The upper end of the wellhead housing is secured to theconnector member 10 by coupling dogs 11 received within circumferentialrecesses 12 in the wellhead housing. The coupling mechanism or connectoris of any suitable type, such as the connector disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 3,32l ,2l 7. As shown in FIG. 3, a suitable seal or gasket ring 13prevents leakage between the upper end of the wellhead housing H and theconnector member 10 thereabove.

As illustrated in the drawings, a casing hanger body 14 has been loweredon a suitable running tool (not shown) into the wellhead housing H, thisbody having a landing ring 15 threadedly secured thereto which has atapered surface 16 adapted to rest upon a companion seat 17 in thewellhead housing H, in order that the hanger body can support a stringof well casing M threadedly secured thereto and extending downwardlyinto the well bore. A split lock ring 18 is disposed in a peripheralgroove 19 in the hanger body, resting upon the upper end of the landingring 15. This lock ring is initially in a retracted position, but isadapted to be ex panded outwardly into an opposed circumferential lockgroove 20 in the wellhead housing H, to prevent upward movement of thecasing string M and the hanger body 14 with respect to the wellheadhousing.

Circumferentially spaced longitudinal flow passages or grooves 21 areprovided in the lower portion of the hanger body 14 to permitcirculating field and cement slurry to flow upwardly through theinterior of the landing ring 15 and into the annulus 22 between thehanger body and wellhead housing H. The lower portion 22a of thisannulus is defined between an external peripheral surface 23 on thehanger body above the flow passages and an opposed internal cylindricalsealing surface 24 in the wellhead housing. A suitable packing assembly25 is shown in FIG. 3 as having been set in packed-off condition in theannular space 22a, sealing against the opposed external and internalsurfaces 23, 24 and to also engage the lock ring 18 and expand itoutwardly into the lock groove 20, as disclosed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.Actually, the circulating and cementing operations referred to abovewould have been performed after the hanger body 14 was lowered throughthe marine riser pipe D and into the wellhead H without the packingassembly 25 being present. After the ring 15 has landed on the wellheadshoulder, the split lock ring 18 would still have been disposed inretracted posi tion within its peripheral groove 19.

It is to be noted that the casing hanger body 14 has an internalleft-hand thread 26 and an internal groove 27, either of which can beoperatively associated with a running tool (not shown) for lowering thehanger body and casing M in the well bore and wellhead housing.Moreover, a cylindrical internal sealing surface 28 is provided in thehanger body below its threads 26, for a purpose to be describedhereinbelow. It should further be noted that the upper external portionof the hanger body is provided with an external right-hand thread 29,which coacts with the packing assembly 25 in effecting sealing of thelatter against the opposed cylindrical surfaces 23, 24 on the hangerbody 14 and wellhead H.

After the well casing M and hanger body 14 have been lowered into theirappropriate pisition in the well bore and wellhead, and the circulatingand cementing operations have been completed, the annular region 220between the external and internal sealing surfaces on the casing hangerbody and wellhead are to be engaged by the packing assembly, which isreleasably connected to a running and actuating tool 30 that includes abody structure 31, the upper body member 32 of which is threadedlysecured to the lower end of a tubular running string 33, by means ofwhich the running and actuating tool and packing assembly combinationare lowered toward the previously set hanger body 14 from the drillingvessel. The upper body member 32 has a reduced diameter portion 34piloted within an outer, lower body member 35. An inner body member orcylinder 36 extends within the upper and lower body members, the upperend of the inner body member having a threaded connection 37 with theupper body member, its lower portion having a shoulder 38 bearingagainst the lower end of the outer, lower body member to hold the bodymembers in appropriate assembled relation. Relative rotation between theupper body member 32 and the outer body member 35 is prevented bycircumferentially spaced longitudinal shear pins 39 extending intoopposed bores 39a in the upper body member and the upper end portion ofthe outer body member, these pins serving to transmit rotation andtorque from the upper body member 32 to the outer body member 35.

The upper portion of the inner body member or cylinder 36 is spaced froman upper inner wall 40 of the outer body member 35 to provide an annularcylinder space 41 therebetween in which an annular hydraulic piston 42can move longitudinally. This piston has an outwardly extending pistonflange 43 movable with an annular cylinder space 44 of larger extentprovided between the periphery 45 of the cylinder member 36 and anopposed inner wall 46 of the outer body member. The annular piston 42 isslidable along the periphery 45 of the cylinder and the inner wall 40 ofthe outer body member. Leakage of fluid between the cylinder 36 and theinner surface 47 of the piston is prevented by a seal ring 48 on thecylinder in slidable sealing relation to the inner surface of thepiston, a seal ring 49 on the outer body member being in slidablesealing relation to the external surface 50 of the piston.

The cylinder has a central cylinder space 51 therein in which a centralpump piston 52 is disposed, which is in slidable sealing relation to theinner wall of the cylinder, leakage of fluid being prevented between thecentral piston and cylinder wall by one or more seal rings 53 on thepiston. The uppermost position of the central piston within the cylinderis limited by its engagement with a split expansible snap stop ring 54held within a companion groove 55 in the cylinder and overlying theupper end of the piston. The piston is urged to its uppermost positionby a helical compression spring 56 in the cylinder, the upper end ofwhich bears against the piston and the lower end of which bears againsta spring seat or shoulder 57 of the cylinder. The central cylinder space51 communicates with the lower portion of the annular cylinder space 41below the annular piston 42 through an orifice or port 58 extending fromthe lower portion of the central cylinder into the annular space.Leakage of fluid in a downward direction between the outer body member35 and inner body member or cylinder 36 is prevented by a suitable sealring 59 on the inner body member sealingly engaging against the innerwall of the outer body member below the port 58.

Hydraulic fluid fills the central cylinder space 51 with the centralpiston in its uppermost position, as well as the annular cylinder space41 below the annular piston 42 when the latter is in its lowermostposition within the annular cylinder, the flange 43 resting upon ashoulder 60 on the outer body member 35. This hydraulic fluid, such as asuitable oil, is introduced into the cylinder spaces 51, 41 through acentral longitudinal passage 61 opening through the lower end of theinner body member 36 and communicating with the central cylinder space51, this passage being closed by a threaded plug 62. Air and the likethat might be present in the cylinder spaces can be dispelled through alongitudinal passage 63 extending from the annular cylinder space 41 tothe lower end of the outer body member, which is also closed by asuitable threaded plug 64, after all of the spaces have been completelyfilled with the hydraulic fluid, and with the annular piston 42 in itslowermost position, the central piston being disposed in its uppermostposition against the stop ring 54. As described hereinbelow, theapplication of fluid pressure exerted through the running string 33 uponthe central pump piston 52 will force the latter downwardly against theaction of the return spring 56, the liquid passing through the orifice58 and into the annular cylinder 41 for upward action on the annularfluid motor piston 42, shifting the latter upwardly within the annularcylinder. Relieving of the fluid pressure acting downwardly on thecentral piston 52 allows the return spring 56 to shift the centralpiston back to its uppermost position, creating a suction force thatwill pull the annular piston 42 back downwardly to its initial position.

The body structure 31 is releasably secured to the annular packingassembly that, as noted above, is to seal the space 220 between thehanger body and wellhead, the releasable connection being made throughthe intervention of an actuating sleeve 65 which has an internalright-hand thread 290 adapted to mesh with the internal thread 29 on thehanger body 14. As illustrated, the packing assembly 25 includes anupper supporting ring 66, the upper portion of which encompasses areduced diameter lower portion 65a of the actuating sleeve. A swivelconnection is provided between the upper support ring and actuatingsleeve. As disclosed, such swivel connection includes a swivel ring 67mounted in an external groove 68 in the lower portion of the actuatingsleeve, this ring also being received within an opposed internal groove69 in the upper support ring. With the actuating sleeve 65 and upperring 66 swivelly connected together, the upper end of the support ringengages a thrust bearing ring 70, which, in turn, bears against adownwardly facing shoulder 71 of the actuating sleeve. A similar thrustbearing ring 72 engages the lower end of the actuating sleeve and anopposed upwardly extending shoulder 73 on the upper support ring 66. Asdescribed hereinbelow, the actuating sleeve 65 can rotate without itsrotation being transmitted to the upper supporting ring 66. The latter,however, cannot move longitudinally with respect to the actuating sleeve65.

The packing assembly further includes an elastomer packing sleeve 74,the upper end of which is connected to the lower portion of the uppersupporting ring 66 and the lower end of which is connected to a lowerabutment ring 75. The specific construction of the packing assembly perse forms no part of the present invention. However, as specificallyillustrated, the connections are provided by dovetails 76 on the upperand lower ends of the packing sleeve received within companion dovetailgrooves 77 in the upper supporting ring and lower abutment ring. Theserings also have metallic lip seals 78 facing each other and encompassingthe upper and lower portions of the elastomer packing sleeve 74.

At the drilling rig R mounted on the drilling vessel C, the packingassembly 25 and actuating sleeve 65 are releasably secured to the bodystructure 31 by a plurality of lock pins 79 extending laterally from areduced diameter portion 80 of the outer body member piloted within theupper portion of the actuating sleeve 65, these pins being movablewithin J-slots 81 in the actuating sleeve. Each slot includes ahorizontal portion 82 opening at one end into a vertical portion 83 thatopens upwardly through the upper end of the actuating sleeve 65. Inmounting the actuating sleeve and packing assembly on the body structure31, the actuating sleeve is moved upwardly along the lower body member35 in order that its lock pins 79 can enter the vertical entry portions83 of the associated J-slots, after which the actuating sleeve isrotated to relatively shift the lock pins within the horizontal portions82 and toward the closed ends of the horizontal slot portions, therebysecuring the actuating sleeve and body structure for longitudinalmovement together. When the lock pins are at the innermost portion ofthe J-slots, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinallyextending torque keys 84 will shift downwardly within the verticalportions 83 of the J-slots, providing a rotatable driving connectionbetween the keys and the actuating sleeve 65. These keys movelongitudinally within vertical guide grooves 85 in the outer bodymember. When positioned within the J-slots 81 in the actuating sleeve,they prevent relative rotation between the body structure 31 and theactuating sleeve 65 and packing assembly 25, the J-pins then supportingthe latter for longitudinal movement with the body structure.

The upper portions of the torque keys 84 are threadedly secured tolongitudinally extending tension screws 86 passing through verticalcounterbores 87 in the upper body member 32, the screw shanks extendingthrough longitudinal bores 88 in the upper body member of slightlygreater diameter than the shank diameter, with the screws terminating inupper heads movable in upper counterbores 90 in the upper body memberopening through its upper end. Each screw head engages the base of itsupper counterbore 90 to limit the extent of downward movement of thekeys within their companion vertical guide grooves 85, such downwardmovement being effected by a helical compression spring 91 in thecounterbore 87 surrounding each screw, with its lower end engaging theupper end of the key and its upper end engaging the upper end of thelower counterbore. Each key 84 is confined for longitudinal movement inits companion groove 85 by the tension screw 86, and also by a cap screw92 suitably mounted and secured in the outer body member 35 andextending through a longitudinal slot 93 in the lower portion of eachkey. The key 84 is movable upwardly within its companion groove 85 to anappropriate extent in which the key is shiftable completely out of thevertical run 83 of the J-slot, when each J-pin 79 is located within thehorizontal run 82 of its J-slot.

The keys are shiftable upwardly out of the vertical runs 83 of theJ-slots upon upward movement of the annular piston 42 within the annularcylinder 41. Such upward movement of the annular piston is transmittedthrough radial key retracting pins or screws 94 threadedly secured tothe piston flange 43 and extending through vertical slots 95 in theouter body member 35 into elongate inner recesses 96 in the keys. Upwardmovement of the piston 42 will cause the screws 94 to engage the upperside 97 of the recesses and shifi the keys 84 upwardly in their grooves85 and out of the vertical runs 83 of the .I-slots against the force ofthe compressed holding springs 91. When the annular piston 42 is notsubject to the hydraulic pressure generated by downward shifting of thecentral piston 52, the holding springs 91 will shift the keys 84downwardly to the positions illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Theposition and actuation of the annular pistons 42, 43 can be viewedthrough one or more radial viewing windows 98 extending through theouter body member 35 to one side of the key grooves 85.

In the use of the apparatus, after the hanger body 14 has been landed inthe wellhead housing H and the casing M cemented in place, the runningand actuating tool 30 should preferably be pressure tested to verify theabsence of leakage, pressure being applied to the central pistonintermittently to cause the annular piston 42, 43 of the fluid motor tomove upwardly and downwardly in its annular cylinder 41, 44, themovement of the annular piston being viewed through the inspectionwindows 98. If foreign substances are restricting movement of theannular piston, appropriate flushing action can be provided by aflushing liquid flowing through the inspection windows.

After the tool has been checked to verify its proper operation, andwhile maintaining pressure in the tool, the actuating sleeve 65, withthe packing assembly 25 supported thereby, is shifted along the lowerbody member 35 until the vertical runs 83 of the J-slots receive the.l-pins 79, the actuating sleeve then being turned to move the J-pinsrelatively toward the far ends of the horizontal J-portions 82 of theslots. The vertical portions 83 of the J -slots are then in alignmentwith the keys 84. The pressure is then relieved, which permits thesprings 91 to shift the keys downwardly through the vertical portions 83of the .l-slots and across the horizontal portions, which also precludesrelative turning between the actuating sleeve 65 and the running tool30.

The tubular running string 33 is then secured to the upper end of theupper body member 32, and the assembly is lowered on the running stringthrough the marine riser D to the hanger body 14. The lower body member36 will enter the hanger body, and the lower thread turn 29a on theactuating sleeve will engage the upper thread turn 29 on the hanger body(FIG. 2). The running string 33 and body structure 31 are then rotated,such rotation being transmitted through the torque keys 84 to theactuating sleeve 65, the latter threading downwardly along the hangerbody 14 and moving the packing assembly 25 into the seal space 22abetween the hanger body and wellhead housing. Suflicient rotation of theactuating sleeve 65 is required to cause the abutment ring 75 to engagethe lock ring 18 and shift it outwardly into the lock groove 20 in thewellhead H, the abutment ring coming to rest upon the hanger bodyshoulder 100. Continued turning of the actuating sleeve then shifts theupper support ring 66 toward the abutment ring 75 to shorten andcompress the packing sleeve against the external and internal surfaces23, 24 on the hanger body 14 and wellhead H, further compression of theelastomer packing sleeve expanding the lip seals 78 against suchsurfaces to provide metallic seals thereagainst, supplementing theelastomer sealing action of the packing sleeve 74. At this time, thelower body member 35 will have moved downwardly within the hanger body14 to place seal rings 101 on the body member in sealing engagement withthe internal cylindrical seat 28 on the hanger body.

A blowout preventer F can then be closed on the running string 33 andpressure applied to the fluid in the annulus around the running stringto test the energized torque-set seal. lf the pressure test issatisfactory, pressure is imposed on the fluid in the running string 33,which will shift the central pump piston 52 downwardly in its cylinder51 to apply pressure to the hydraulic fluid therein and effect elevationof the annular piston 42, 43 within the annular cylinder 41, 44. Suchupward movement causes the retracting screws 94 to engage the upper ends97 defining the key recesses 96 to lift the keys 84 out of thehorizontal and vertical runs of the J -slots 81. Left-hand rotation ofthe running string 33 and tool 30 then shifts the .l-pins 79 of therunning tool along the horizontal slots to the vertical slots 83,permitting the running tool to be elevated, its .l-pins movingcompletely out of the J-slots and fully releasing the running tool 30from the actuating sleeve 65. The actuating sleeve remains threaded tothe hanger body 14 to retain the packing assembly 25 in its packed-offcondition between the hanger body 14 and wellhead H. The running tool 30can then be withdrawn through the marine riser D to the drilling vesselC and rig R.

Assuming that the test indicates the packing assembly does not hold thedesired pressure, additional torque can be applied to the running string33 to further tighten the actuating sleeve 65 in a downward directionprior to withdrawal of the torque keys 84 from the J-slots. in the eventthat the packing assembly still does not hold pressure, the running toolcan be used to recover the actuating sleeve 65 and packing assembly 25carried thereby by rotating the running string 33 and tool 30 to theleft, which will unthread the actuating sleeve 65 from the hanger body14, permitting the entire assembly to be elevated by the running string33 through the marine riser to the rig floor.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for effecting a seal between a wellhead and a hangerdisposed therein for supporting a tubular string extending into a wellbore: comprising a running tool having a body structure and connectibleto a running string; packing means; means releasably connecting saidpacking means to said body structure to enable said packing means to beplaced in sealing relation to the hanger; actuatable means movable onsaid body structure for preventing release of said connecting means; andshifting means for moving said actuatable means on said body structureto a position permitting release of said connecting means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said actuatable means engaging saidpacking means and being responsive to movement of said body structure tomove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said packing means being adapted toseal the annular space between the wellhead and hanger; said actuatablemeans engaging said packing means and being responsive to movement ofsaid body structure to move said packing means into sealing relation tothe hanger and wellhead to seal the annular space therebetween.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said packing means having a firstthread companion to a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable meansengaging said packing means and being responsive to rotation of saidbody structure to feed said first thread along the second thread andmove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said packing means being adapted toseal the annular space between the wellhead and hanger; said packingmeans having a first thread companion to a second thread on the hanger;said actuatable means engaging said packing means and being responsiveto rotation of said body structure to feed said first thread along thesecond thread and move said packing means into sealing relation to thehanger and wellhead to seal the annular space therebetween.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said actuatable means engaging said packing means andbeing responsive to movement of said body structure to move said packingmeans into sealing relation to the hanger.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said packing means being adapted to seal the annular spacebetween the wellhead and hanger; said actuatable means engaging saidpacking means and being responsive to movement of said body structure tomove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger and wellheadto seal the annular space therebetween.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said packing means having a first thread companion to asecond thread on the hanger; said actuatable means engaging said packingmeans and being responsive to rotation of said body structure to feedsaid first thread along the second thread and move said packing meansinto sealing relation to the hanger.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said packing means being adapted to seal the annular spacebetween the wellhead and hanger; said packing means having a firstthread companion to a second thread on the hanger; said actu atablemeans engaging said packing means and being responsive to rotation ofsaid body structure to feed said first thread along the second threadand move said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger andwellhead to seal the annular space therebetween.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means beingresponsive to fluid pressure for moving said actuatable means to saidposition permitting release of said connecting means.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means beingresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for moving saidactuatable means to said position permitting release of said connectingmeans.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means beingresponsive to fluid pressure for moving said actuatable means to saidposition permitting release of said connecting means; and spring meanson said body structure engaging said actuatable means to yieldablyresist movement of said actuatable means to said position permittingrelease of said connecting means.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means beingresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for moving saidactuatable means to said position permitting release of said connectingmeans; and spring means on said body structure engaging said actuatablemeans to yieldably resist movement of said actuatable means to saidposition permitting release of said connecting means.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim I; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means beingresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim I; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means beingresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; and spring means on said body structure engaging saidactuatable means to yieldably resist movement of said actuatable meansfrom said opening.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means including afluid motor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means. anda fluid pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 5; said shifting means including afluid motor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means, anda fluid pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said shifting means including afluid motor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means, anda fluid pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim said shifting means including a fluidmotor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means, and afluid pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor; and spring means on said body structureengaging said actuatable means to yieldably resist movement of saidactuatable means from said opening.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body struc ture movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said actuatable means including one or more keys slidablevertically on said body structure and disposed in said one or moreopenings.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said actuatable means including one or more keys slidablevertically on said body structure and disposed in said one or moreopenings; and spring means engaging said one or more keys to yieldablyretain said one or more keys in said one or more openings.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said packing means being adapted to seal the annular spacebetween the wellhead and hanger; said packing means having a firstthread companion to a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable meansengaging said packing means and being responsive to rotation of saidbody structure to feed said first thread along the second thread andmove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger and wellheadto seal the annular space therebetween; said actuatable means includingone or more keys slidable vertically on said body structure and disposedin said one or more openings.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said packing means being adapted to seal the annular spacebetween the wellhead and hanger; said packing means having a firstthread companion to a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable meansengaging said packing means and being responsive to rotation of saidbody structure to feed said first thread along the second thread andmove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger and wellheadto seal the annular space therebetween; said actuatable means includingone or more keys slidable vertically on said body structure and disposedin said one or more openings; and spring means engaging said one or morekeys to yieldably retain said one or more keys in said one or moreopenings.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said packing means being adapted to seal the annular spacebetween the wellhead and hanger; said packing means having a firstthread companion to a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable meansengaging said packing means and being responsive to rotation of saidbody structure to feed said first thread along the second thread andmove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger and wellheadto seal the annular space therebetween; said actuatable means includingone or more keys slidable vertically on said body structure and disposedin said one or more openings; and spring means engaging said one or morekeys to yieldably retain said one or more keys in said one or moreopenings; said shifting means including a fluid motor in said bodystructure for moving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in saidbody structure responsive to fluid pressure in the run ning string forpressuring fluid between said pump and motor to effect operation of saidmotor.

26. A running and setting tool for operating apparatus operativelyassociated with a well bore: comprising a body structure having meansfor connection to a running string; connecting means on said bodystructure adapted to be releasably connected to the apparatus;actuatable means movable on said body structure and adapted to engagethe apparatus to prevent release of said connecting means from theapparatus; and shifting means for moving said actuatable means on saidbody structure to a position disengaged from the apparatus to permitrelease of said connecting means from the apparatus.

27. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatablemeans being engageable with the apparatus to transmit torque from therunning string and body structure to the apparatus.

28. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said shiftingmeans being responsive to fluid pressure for moving said actuatablemeans to said position permitting release of said connecting means.

29. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said shiftingmeans being responsive to fluid pressure in the running string formoving said actuatable means to said position permitting release of saidconnecting means.

30. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26'. said shiftingmeans including a fluid motor in said body structure for moving saidactuatable means, and a fluid pump in said body structure responsive tofluid pressure in the running string for pressuring fluid between saidpump and motor to efl'ect operation of said motor.

31. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatablemeans including one or more keys slidable vertically on said bodystructure.

32. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatablemeans including one or more keys slidable vertically on said bodystructure; and spring means engaging said one or more keys to urge saidone or more keys downwardly along said body structure.

33. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatablemeans including one or more keys slidable vertically on said bodystructure; said shifting means including a fluid motor in said bodystructure for moving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in saidbody structure responsive to fluid pressure in the running string forpressuring fluid between said pump and motor to efi'ect operation ofsaid motor.

34. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatablemeans including one or more keys slidable vertically on said bodystructure; and spring means engaging said one or more keys to urge saidone or more keys downwardly along said body structure; said shiftingmeans including a fluid motor in said body structure for moving saidactuatable means, and a fluid pump in said body structure responsive tofluid pressure in the running string for pressuring fluid between saidpump and motor to effect operation of said motor. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO.3,903,965 DATED September 9, 1975 mvmrorus) ARTHUR G. AHLSTONE It iscertrfred that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown beiow:

Column 3, line 13; change "fie1d" to --fluid--.

Column 6, line 29: after "heads" insert --89--.

Signed and Scaled this AHCSI.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Allesn'ng ()ffr'ver Commissioner 0/Parents and Trademarks

1. Apparatus for effecting a seal between a wellhead and a hangerdisposed therein for supporting a tubular string extending into a wellbore: comprising a running tool having a body structure and connectibleto a running string; packing means; means releasably connecting saidpacking means to said body structure to enable said packing means to beplaced in sealing relation to the hanger; actuatable means movable onsaid body structure for preventing release of said connecting means; andshifting means for moving said actuatable means on said body structureto a position permitting release of said connecting means.
 2. Apparatusas defined in claim 1; said actuatable means engaging said packing meanSand being responsive to movement of said body structure to move saidpacking means into sealing relation to the hanger.
 3. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1; said packing means being adapted to seal the annularspace between the wellhead and hanger; said actuatable means engagingsaid packing means and being responsive to movement of said bodystructure to move said packing means into sealing relation to the hangerand wellhead to seal the annular space therebetween.
 4. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1; said packing means having a first thread companionto a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable means engaging saidpacking means and being responsive to rotation of said body structure tofeed said first thread along the second thread and move said packingmeans into sealing relation to the hanger.
 5. Apparatus as defined inclaim 1; said packing means being adapted to seal the annular spacebetween the wellhead and hanger; said packing means having a firstthread companion to a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable meansengaging said packing means and being responsive to rotation of saidbody structure to feed said first thread along the second thread andmove said packing means into sealing relation to the hanger and wellheadto seal the annular space therebetween.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim1; said releasable connecting means including a pin on said bodystructure movable relatively along a slot in said packing means, saidslot including an opening through the upper end of said packing means;said actuatable means being disposed in said opening to retain said pinin said slot; said shifting means moving said actuatable means from saidopening to enable said pin to move through said opening.
 7. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1; said releasable connecting means including a pin onsaid body structure movable relatively along a slot in said packingmeans, said slot including an opening through the upper end of saidpacking means; said actuatable means being disposed in said opening toretain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving said actuatablemeans from said opening to enable said pin to move through said opening;said actuatable means engaging said packing means and being responsiveto movement of said body structure to move said packing means intosealing relation to the hanger.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; saidreleasable connecting means including a pin on said body structuremovable relatively along a slot in said packing means, said slotincluding an opening through the upper end of said packing means; saidactuatable means being disposed in said opening to retain said pin insaid slot; said shifting means moving said actuatable means from saidopening to enable said pin to move through said opening; said packingmeans being adapted to seal the annular space between the wellhead andhanger; said actuatable means engaging said packing means and beingresponsive to movement of said body structure to move said packing meansinto sealing relation to the hanger and wellhead to seal the annularspace therebetween.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasableconnecting means including a pin on said body structure movablerelatively along a slot in said packing means, said slot including anopening through the upper end of said packing means; said actuatablemeans being disposed in said opening to retain said pin in said slot;said shifting means moving said actuatable means from said opening toenable said pin to move through said opening; said packing means havinga first thread companion to a second thread on the hanger; saidactuatable means engaging said packing means and being responsive torotation of said body structure to feed said first thread along thesecond thread and move said packing means into sealing relation to thehanger.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connectingmeans including a pin on said body structure movable relatively along aslot in said packing means, said slOt including an opening through theupper end of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed insaid opening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means movingsaid actuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to movethrough said opening; said packing means being adapted to seal theannular space between the wellhead and hanger; said packing means havinga first thread companion to a second thread on the hanger; saidactuatable means engaging said packing means and being responsive torotation of said body structure to feed said first thread along thesecond thread and move said packing means into sealing relation to thehanger and wellhead to seal the annular space therebetween. 11.Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means being responsive tofluid pressure for moving said actuatable means to said positionpermitting release of said connecting means.
 12. Apparatus as defined inclaim 1; said shifting means being responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for moving said actuatable means to said positionpermitting release of said connecting means.
 13. Apparatus as defined inclaim 1; said shifting means being responsive to fluid pressure formoving said actuatable means to said position permitting release of saidconnecting means; and spring means on said body structure engaging saidactuatable means to yieldably resist movement of said actuatable meansto said position permitting release of said connecting means. 14.Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means being responsive tofluid pressure in the running string for moving said actuatable means tosaid position permitting release of said connecting means; and springmeans on said body structure engaging said actuatable means to yieldablyresist movement of said actuatable means to said position permittingrelease of said connecting means.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 1;said releasable connecting means including a pin on said body structuremovable relatively along a slot in said packing means, said slotincluding an opening through the upper end of said packing means; saidactuatable means being disposed in said opening to retain said pin insaid slot; said shifting means being responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for moving said actuatable means from said opening toenable said pin to move through said opening.
 16. Apparatus as definedin claim 1; said releasable connecting means including a pin on saidbody structure movable relatively along a slot in said packing means,said slot including an opening through the upper end of said packingmeans; said actuatable means being disposed in said opening to retainsaid pin in said slot; said shifting means being responsive to fluidpressure in the running string for moving said actuatable means fromsaid opening to enable said pin to move through said opening; and springmeans on said body structure engaging said actuatable means to yieldablyresist movement of said actuatable means from said opening. 17.Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said shifting means including a fluidmotor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means, and afluid pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 5;said shifting means including a fluid motor in said body structure formoving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in said body structureresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for pressuring fluidbetween said pump and motor to effect operation of said motor. 19.Apparatus as defined in claim 10; said shifting means including a fluidmotor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means, and afluid pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure in therunning string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 10;said shifting means including a fluid motor in said body structure formoving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in said body structureresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for pressuring fluidbetween said pump and motor to effect operation of said motor; andspring means on said body structure engaging said actuatable means toyieldably resist movement of said actuatable means from said opening.21. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting meansincluding a pin on said body structure movable relatively along a slotin said packing means, said slot including an opening through the upperend of said packing means; said actuatable means being disposed in saidopening to retain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving saidactuatable means from said opening to enable said pin to move throughsaid opening; said actuatable means including one or more keys slidablevertically on said body structure and disposed in said one or moreopenings.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasableconnecting means including a pin on said body structure movablerelatively along a slot in said packing means, said slot including anopening through the upper end of said packing means; said actuatablemeans being disposed in said opening to retain said pin in said slot;said shifting means moving said actuatable means from said opening toenable said pin to move through said opening; said actuatable meansincluding one or more keys slidable vertically on said body structureand disposed in said one or more openings; and spring means engagingsaid one or more keys to yieldably retain said one or more keys in saidone or more openings.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; saidreleasable connecting means including a pin on said body structuremovable relatively along a slot in said packing means, said slotincluding an opening through the upper end of said packing means; saidactuatable means being disposed in said opening to retain said pin insaid slot; said shifting means moving said actuatable means from saidopening to enable said pin to move through said opening; said packingmeans being adapted to seal the annular space between the wellhead andhanger; said packing means having a first thread companion to a secondthread on the hanger; said actuatable means engaging said packing meansand being responsive to rotation of said body structure to feed saidfirst thread along the second thread and move said packing means intosealing relation to the hanger and wellhead to seal the annular spacetherebetween; said actuatable means including one or more keys slidablevertically on said body structure and disposed in said one or moreopenings.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasableconnecting means including a pin on said body structure movablerelatively along a slot in said packing means, said slot including anopening through the upper end of said packing means; said actuatablemeans being disposed in said opening to retain said pin in said slot;said shifting means moving said actuatable means from said opening toenable said pin to move through said opening; said packing means beingadapted to seal the annular space between the wellhead and hanger; saidpacking means having a first thread companion to a second thread on thehanger; said actuatable means engaging said packing means and beingresponsive to rotation of said body structure to feed said first threadalong the second thread and move said packing means into sealingrelation to the hanger and wellhead to seal the annular spacetherebetween; said actuatable means including one or more keys slidablevertically on said body structure and disposed in said one or moreopenings; and spring means engaging said one or more keys to yieldablyretain said one or more keys in said one or more openings.
 25. Apparatusas defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting means including a pinon said body structure movable relatively along a slot in said packingmeans, said slot including an opening through the upper end of saidpacking means; said actuatable means being disposed in said opening toretain said pin in said slot; said shifting means moving said actuatablemeans from said opening to enable said pin to move through said opening;said packing means being adapted to seal the annular space between thewellhead and hanger; said packing means having a first thread companionto a second thread on the hanger; said actuatable means engaging saidpacking means and being responsive to rotation of said body structure tofeed said first thread along the second thread and move said packingmeans into sealing relation to the hanger and wellhead to seal theannular space therebetween; said actuatable means including one or morekeys slidable vertically on said body structure and disposed in said oneor more openings; and spring means engaging said one or more keys toyieldably retain said one or more keys in said one or more openings;said shifting means including a fluid motor in said body structure formoving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in said body structureresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for pressuring fluidbetween said pump and motor to effect operation of said motor.
 26. Arunning and setting tool for operating apparatus operatively associatedwith a well bore: comprising a body structure having means forconnection to a running string; connecting means on said body structureadapted to be releasably connected to the apparatus; actuatable meansmovable on said body structure and adapted to engage the apparatus toprevent release of said connecting means from the apparatus; andshifting means for moving said actuatable means on said body structureto a position disengaged from the apparatus to permit release of saidconnecting means from the apparatus.
 27. A running and setting tool asdefined in claim 26; said actuatable means being engageable with theapparatus to transmit torque from the running string and body structureto the apparatus.
 28. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26;said shifting means being responsive to fluid pressure for moving saidactuatable means to said position permitting release of said connectingmeans.
 29. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; saidshifting means being responsive to fluid pressure in the running stringfor moving said actuatable means to said position permitting release ofsaid connecting means.
 30. A running and setting tool as defined inclaim 26; said shifting means including a fluid motor in said bodystructure for moving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in saidbody structure responsive to fluid pressure in the running string forpressuring fluid between said pump and motor to effect operation of saidmotor.
 31. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26; saidactuatable means including one or more keys slidable vertically on saidbody structure.
 32. A running and setting tool as defined in claim 26;said actuatable means including one or more keys slidable vertically onsaid body structure; and spring means engaging said one or more keys tourge said one or more keys downwardly along said body structure.
 33. Arunning and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatable meansincluding one or more keys slidable vertically on said body structure;said shifting means including a fluid motor in said body structure formoving said actuatable means, and a fluid pump in said body structureresponsive to fluid pressure in the running string for pressuring fluidbetween said pump and motor to effect operation of said motor.
 34. Arunning and setting tool as defined in claim 26; said actuatable meansincluding one or more keys slidable vertically on said body structure;and spring means engaging said one or more keys to urge said one or morekeys downwardly along said body structure; said shifting means includinga fluid motor in said body structure for moving said actuatable means,and a fluId pump in said body structure responsive to fluid pressure inthe running string for pressuring fluid between said pump and motor toeffect operation of said motor.